BORDEN — The Borden Community Centre Preservation Committee held a successful stew and soup luncheon Friday, March 15, in the centre with proceeds going for new flooring. Door prizes were won by Martha Rempel, Brenda Tumbach, Kim Anderson, Stew Walton, Jesse Wensley and Ella McGlaughlin with a basket of goodies raffle won by Bev Hrynuik. On the committee are Karen Kerr, Gloria Derbowka, Marcia Parker, Sylvia Larsen, Dianne Rawlyk and Bev Hrynuik and helping out on Friday were Carrie Harkness and Diane Tracksell. Celtic Country with Bob Wardhaugh on keyboard, Perry Nicol with drums and castanets, Ed Neufeld playing guitar and Archie Wainwright singing along with the group, played many Irish tunes while everyone was enjoying their lunch.
The Borden Lions members and guests enjoyed a turkey dinner March 14 at the Roadside Inn along with special guests District Governor Bernie Kramchynsky and his wife Marianne from Rosthern and Borden Mayor Jamie Brandrick and his wife Kandis. President Tom Redhead welcomed everyone and introduced the special guests, Rev. Sheldon Carr gave the blessing and then everyone was served a delicious meal with all the extras and some great desserts. After the meal, Tom gave a brief history of the Borden Lions who started in 1981, recognized two of the founding members still active – Archie Wainwright and Bob Wardhaugh — and named and thanked all the members who are chairpersons of the various committees: Carly Hess – fundraising, Chase the Ace, outdoor flea market and grants, Jan Sparks – catering, Remembrance Day service – Sandi Long, carol festival – Perry Nicol, wagon rides – Ed Neufeld, news and media – L. Olinyk, dog guides – Bob Wardhaugh, CNIB – Mel Wasylyshyn, emergency response – Bev Assman, scholarships and donations – Sharon Assman and details of this evening – Kendall Redhead.
Tom introduced the Borden Lions’ executive – himself as president, vice-president Cody Bradshaw, treasurer Justin Bisson and secretary Brittany Ketsel, who is putting all the Borden Lions do online.
DG Bernie, who belongs to the Rosthern Lions Club, has been a Lion for 45 years and has held all offices except secretary. He joined Alvena Lions in 1979 then Rosthern in 1998. He has been on the Rosthern Co-op board for over 30 years, was Rosthern Citizen of the Year and is a Sask. Hall of Fame recipient.
He told those attending there are 1.4 million Lions members in 200 countries and 48,000 Lions Clubs worldwide. He talked about the Lions dog guides program in Ontario that is erecting a larger building at a cost of more than $50 million of which $40 million has been raised.
He spoke of other programs Lions are involved with – diabetes, seeing eye and diabetic detector dogs, diabetic camp in Saskatchewan and the Lions Eye Ban. He said the Saskatchewan Lions Foundation supports STARS and vision and diabetic centres, Quest in schools, River Valley Retreat for firefighters, EMS and first responders) and Wilderness Camp. Lions collect eyeglasses and hearing aids for Third World countries. Lions Club International has raised over $ 325 million in 2023 to fund causes and in 2024 is aiding Ukraine.
Bernie spoke of the Multi-District No. 5 convention in Minot, N.D. for Lions clubs in North and South Dakota. The convention is in Saskatchewan in 2025 at Dakota Dunes.
New member Brittany Ketzel was installed as a member and she and her sponsor Kendall Redhead were given pins and certificates and all the members present repeated the Lions pledge. DG Bernie presented a 10-year certificate to Jan Sparks and a 40-year certificate to Mel Wasylyshyn, a pin to Tom and anyone who wanted a DG pin could pick one up.
Tom Redhead then presented a cheque for $200 from the Borden club to DG Bernie for LCIF.
Saturday, March 23 there is a bowling tournament at Action Bowl in the basement of the Borden Community Centre and during the lunch hour, Little Sprouts will be serving hamburgers and hotdogs along with beverages outside the Community Centre.
Welcome to the new pastor of the Riverbend Fellowship Church, Doug Hacking and his wife Gwen. The church holds services every Sunday at 10:50 a.m. with adult Bible study before that at 10 a.m. in the Friendship Club Room in the Borden Community Centre.
